Mrs Tanya Venamore1, Ms Johanna Bou-Samra1
1Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Equity, Darling Downs Health Service, Queensland Health, Toowoomba, Australia
Biography:
Joh & Tanya are senior clinicians within the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Multidisciplinary Chronic Disease Team at Toowoomba Hospital. Tanya is a member of Qld State-Wide Podiatry Network, Advanced Practising Podiatrists – High Risk Foot Group, Indigenous Allied Health Australia. Tanya provides outpatient services within Aboriginal Medical Services and hospital clinic setting.
Johanna is a credentialled Consultant Pharmacist and a credentialled Nicotine Addiction Specialist. Joh provides outpatient services that include home medication reviews, chronic disease and smoking management clinics. Tanya & Joh are both members of the Qld Smoking Cessation Working Group.
Abstract:
This presentation will shine a light on a unique team approach practicing interprofessional practice (IPP) in the delivery of chronic disease care to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community in the Toowoomba region, Qld. The service (Pharmacist, Podiatrist, Dietitian, IHW's, AO) has adapted & developed over time striving to meet the needs of our local A&TSI community more effectively & holistically. In particular, we will focus on the unlikely but highly effective collaboration between podiatry and pharmacy.
Our team has identified three main themes of influence on our community:
1. Increased prevalence of tobacco smoking (approx. 50%)
2. Multiple co-morbidities
3.Increased prevalence 'hard to reach' clients
These areas of 'focus' influence our team's Model of Care and this presentation will expand further on these areas. It will explain how IPP, upskilling and collaboration has greatly impacted patient outcomes and engagement with our service. In particular, our presentation will discuss the evolution of both Pharmacist and Podiatrist gaining expert nicotine dependence training, the Pharmacist becoming credentialled Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) and a mentor for the team in nicotine dependence.
It will also highlight benefits of Podiatry & Pharmacy collaboration in relation to management of diabetes, CVD/PVD, renal disease and pain.
Team strategies for engaging with 'hard to reach' patients will be expanded upon including joint consultations, home visits, IHW 'Did Not Attend' surveys, IHW welfare visits.
This presentation may encourage other teams around Australia to adopt similar IPP within chronic disease management to promote improved health outcomes and patient engagement.